Confirmation of David Sullivan’s departure from West Ham United has spawned countless think pieces over the last 48 hours or so.
Daniel Kretinsky and Vanessa Gold appear to be controlling things now; a highly-controversial, occasionally-successful but always-unpopular 16-year era rumbling to an overdue conclusion.
According to The Athletic, David Sullivan is now considering the sale of his 38 per cent stake. He resigned as West Ham United’s chairman on Saturday.
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As the fall-out continues, it is tempting to wonder what impact his departure will have on the transfer front.
Much to the bemusement of many in and outside of the club, Sullivan wielded plenty of power in the recruitment department. Something Michail Antonio highlighted when talking about his 2015 arrival from Nottingham Forest a few days ago.
Antonio was, though, an exception to Sullivan’s usual rule.
David Sullivan didn’t like Championship signings at West Ham United
Hammers News were informed back in May of last year that Sullivan was largely against the idea of raiding the Championship, despite the successes of Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Cresswell.
Crysencio Summerville enjoyed an impressive second season with the Hammers too, albeit our exclusive came in the midst of a 14-month, 25-game goal drought.
Hammers News were also told that the struggles of Flynn Downes, a £12 million signing from Swansea who managed only seven Premier League starts, contributed heavily to Sullivan’s unease about the EFL market. Jordan Hugill and Ryan Fredericks failed to live up to expectations as well.
So when the names of Josh Sargent [Norwich] and Haji Wright [Coventry] were put to Sullivan last year, neither player was ever going to get the backing of a sceptical Hammers chairman.
Now, Sullivan no longer calling the shots, one wonders how things could change in the immediate aftermath.
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Zan Vipotnik and Sheffield United duo are on the Hammers’ radar
Before departing a fortnight ago, former head of recruitment Max Hahn recommended Swansea striker Zan Vipotnik to West Ham. Vipotnik claimed the Championship’s Golden Boot with 23 goals in 35 starts last term.
Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis has admirers in East London too.
Sheffield United duo Harrison Burrows and Sydie Peck were linked, as well, in the aftermath of relegation. An attack-minded left-back with an eye for an assist, Burrows could replace El Hadji Malick Diouf. Peck’s athleticism and technical qualities in the centre of the park make him a potential Mateus Fernandes successor, albeit those are very big shoes to fill.
And in the post-Sullivan era, West Ham might have that extra bit of freedom to pursue some of the EFL’s brightest talent.
Can they discover the next Jarrod Bowen in England’s second tier? Potentially. Hopefully. There is certainly now one pretty sizeable obstacle out of the way.
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